Daily Find – A Bird In The Hand by Don Downing with Rodney and the Blazers – Risque R&B Rocker 45
Daily Discovery - A Bird In The Hand b/w Jivin' Jean by DON DOWNING with RODNEY and the BLAZERS - R&B Soul 45 on Chan Records #108
Is it possible this is another Risque R&B Rocker? If it is, it's one of sneakiest double entendre records I have ever heard. In reading the title I thought the song would be a reference to the idiom, which means, it's better to have something certain than something that is not certain. About a minute in comes the guitar break that made me listen to the record in a whole new way. A Bird In The Hand is using the riff originally used in the song "Toy Bell" by The Bees, which is better known as "My Ding A Ling". Now we have something here! As I listened again the lyrics didn't seem risque, in fact the record is good but it seems pretty tame to me. Is a reference to the song "Toy Bell" by guitar riff enough to make it a double entendre record? In my opinion, yes! What do you think?
Daily Find – Hey Senorita by Betty & Len & The Rhythmaires – R&B 45
Daily Discovery - Hey Senorita b/w Give Me Your Love by Betty & Len & The Rhythmaires - R&B 45 on Ole Records #201
Damn, I'm a sucker for R&B duets, and this one is no exception. What really gets me going on this one is the Latin flavor.
Another plain and beautiful Los Angeles label. Publishing credit is given to Dootsie Williams owner of the legendary doowop labels, Dootone and Dooto labels
that were located on Central Avenue in Compton. I remember driving past the old building about 12 years ago and the Dootone sign was still standing!
I'll definitely have to drive by soon to see if the iconic sign, and building for that matter, are still there.
I share this on a Friday night and dedicate this to the guys who will be out there trying to run their game on the ladies tonight.
Good luck!
Daily Find – I Want To Bang Your Box by Lorenzo The Hat – R&B Jazz 45
Daily Discovery - I Want To Bang Your Box b/w Let Me Tell You How It Feels by Lorenzo The Hat (Lorenzo Manley) - R&B Jazz 45 on Papyrus Records #64
A very blunt risque Rhythm and Blues record to say the least. "Just like a bricklayer breaking up rocks, Hello baby I want to bang your box". Wow! The cool thing is that it's not just risque, it's good too! I've said it before and I'll say it again, music is great when it's honest. This one is about as honest as it gets!
Daily Find – Rhythm Rockin’ Blues by Rollee McGill – R&B Rocker 45
Daily Discovery - Rhythm Rockin' Blues b/w In My Neighborhood by Rollee McGill - R&B Rocker 45 on Mercury Records #70652
An absolute R&B Rockin' monster! Chicago, Illinois produced many great R&B, Soul, Blues, and Funk artists. Rollee McGill may not be a household name but after hearing this tune, I wondered what else he recorded. To my surprise Rollee released enough music to have a full CD. I am not sure what year this was released but it's definitely from the mid to late 50's.
Honkin' sax, amazing piano, funky guitar, head bobbin' bass and strong screamin' vocals. What more can you ask for in a R&B stomper? If you can't move to this one, we need to check your pulse!
Daily Find – The Other Side Of The Fence by Jimmy Johnson – R&B Northern Soul 45
Daily Discovery - The Other Side Of The Fence b/w Queen Bee by Jimmy Johnson - Northern Soul 45 on Wonder Records #502
This Los Angeles record is no doubt rare, and a ridiculously hard to find test pressing. This song speaks to the human condition of always wanting what we don't have. "If you have a love, don't try to find another, make yourself __, because the grass always looks green and pretty, way over yonder on The Other Side Of The Fence". If Jimmy's voice wasn't enough for you, then comes in Vicki. Our mysterious lady voice comes in with powerful vocals when she speaks. Vicki never really belts out any singing on this tune, which leaves my mind wondering what that would sound like. Anyone know who the female is on this record?
Daily Find – Hello Operator by Bob Blues Starr – R&B Blues 45
Daily Discovery - Hello Operator b/w Dispensing Woman Blues by Bob Blues Starr - R&B Blues 45 on Rockin' Records #502
A Los Angeles uptempo blues groover. A beautiful label that you don't see everyday. It's the same label that Pam Baitey comes on. Other than that I don't know much else about this record. What do you think about it?
Daily Find – Hound Dog by Candy Johnson Show – R&B Rocker 45
Daily Discovery - Hound Dog b/w Baby What You Want Me To Do by Candy Johnson Show featuring Candy Johnson's Exciters!!! - R&B Rocker 45 on Canjo Records #102
A rockin' R&B version of the classic tune that most people think was originally done by Elvis Presley. The original was actually sung in 1952 by Willie Mae Thornton better known as Big Mama Thornton. It has been covered many times over but not like this version, which includes a fuzz guitar break about a minute into the song. The song was written by none other than the legendary hit writing dream team, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller. This small Los Angeles label was a private press and probably owned by Candy Johnson, hence Canjo Records. It was released in January of 1964.
Daily Find – The Rat by Stewart Brothers (Sly Stone) – R&B 45
Daily Discovery - The Rat b/w Ra Ra Roo by Stewart Brothers (Sly Stone) - R&B 45 on Ensign Records #4032
First some facts: released in 1959. Sly Stone's first 45 recorded with his brother, Freddie Stewart. Sylvester (Sly) released a gospel 78 with his siblings, their group? The Stewart Four
It's raining rats and dogs in here! "The Rat" has one of the best opening lines ever in a song, "The name of this tune is the rat, and we are the Stewart Brothers, and Sylvester Stewart, that's myself, I wrote it", as soon as the man, who will later be better known as Sly Stone, finishes introducing himself, a groovin' R&B jump tune starts. Don't be fooled by the silly title, it's catchy! You will soon be walking around town singing about the rat!
The flip side "Ra Ra Roo", deals with a whole different animal. What is Ra Ra Roo? They say it's a barkin' dog but really it sounds more like a howlin' dog, a brokenhearted dog at that. Another amazing Los Angeles record!
Daily Find – Ringo Beat by Ella Fitzgerald – Hot R&B Mod 45
Daily Discovery - Ringo Beat b/w I'm Fallin' In Love by Ella Fitzgerald - New Breed R&B Mod 45 on Verve Records #10340
Killer R&B Mod tune with an infectious beat that makes you want to move. It's hot! It's like no other Ella record I had ever heard. Yes this song is about Beatles drummer, Ringo Starr. Ella gives much love to Ringo's drumming ability. The star of this tune is Ringo Starr, but also mentioned are Gene Krupa, Elvis Presley's swinging hips, Chubby Checker's twisting and the influence and the effect of these four rock stars on youngsters.
Daily Find – Little Girl Sing Ting-A-Ling (Ding-A-Ling) by Dave Bartholomew – Rare Risque R&B Blues 45
Daily Discovery - Little Girl Sing Ting-A-Ling (Ding-A-Ling) b/w Who Drank The Beer While I Was In The Rear by Dave Bartholomew - Rare R&B Blues 45 on Imperial Records #5210
My Ding-A-Ling is probably the most famous of all the Risque R&B Rockers from the 1950's. It was released in 1952, I have known this record for years I just didn't know who sang the original. It was later changed to Toy Bell by The Bees who were also on Imperial Records. The Bees released a vocal group version in 1954 with slightly different lyrics but shares same concept, look it up if you don't know it, it's killer. I have the Chuck Berry version which was released in the 1970's. To my surprise, I found this in one of my boxes of records that I have had for a year or so. As much as I love to dig in other peoples collections, it's awesome to dig in my own vaults and pull gems like this one. I appreciate you checking out my ding a ling, have fun!
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